Manchester United's contract negotiations with Erik ten Hag will include discussions over his role in the club's recruitment and the make-up of its coaching team, sources have told ESPN.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that Ten Hag will remain as manager following the conclusion of United's end-of-season review.
Following the decision, club sources told ESPN that talks will begin to extend Ten Hag's contract, and that his current contract will expire in 2025.
However, Ten Hag's influence on recruiting and the structure of his technical team will be two key issues.
Ten Hag, 54, signed when he arrived from Ajax in 2022 and, although it also includes a plus one option until 2026, it allows him to veto both incoming and outgoing transfers.
However, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team led by Sir Dave Brailsford are keen to hand over responsibility for recruitment to dedicated staff led by incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, chief scout Steve Brown and the director of football negotiations. Matt Hargreaves.
Under the new structure, Ten Hag would be allowed “a say” in transfers, but his redefined role would focus on managing and coaching a team largely created for him.
Sources told ESPN that recruitment work, led by Wilcox and Brown in the continued absence of Ashworth, who is still on gardening leave from Newcastle United, was taking place during United's review and Ten Hag will be informed. about its progress now that it had been completed. He confirmed that he will coach the team next season.
Sources have told ESPN that talks will also take place regarding the makeup of Ten Hag's coaching staff, particularly the future of forwards coach Benni McCarthy.
McCarthy was appointed by Ten Hag in 2022 but is out of contract this summer and there have been no discussions over a new deal.
Ten Hag would like McCarthy to stay, but sources tell ESPN that Brailsford is open to the idea of bringing in an outside coach to work with assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren.
Sources told ESPN there is a feeling that an external coaching appointment approved by Ashworth and Wilcox would help quickly implement a “club-led playing model” rather than one determined solely by the coach.
